After months of denial, heads of pro-Israel, pro-peace US Jewish organization compelled to admit George Soros contributed to its establishment

WASHINGTON – After months of denial, leaders of the pro-Israel organization J-Street have been compelled to admit their activities are partly funded by Jewish billionaire George Soros who, in his own words, refuses to be part of activities in support of Israel.

The pro-peace organization was founded in 2008 as a counterweight to the rightward-leaning AIPAC (America Israel Public Affairs Committee) lobby. At the time, there were rumors that the group was supported by Soros, a Holocaust survivor originally from Hungary, but J-Street denied this stridently – and for good reason.

Soros has been strongly critical of the US and Israel. In Jewish circles in America he is considered a controversial figure, especially since his interview with the New Yorker 15 years ago, in which he stated he did not want to be part of any activity in support of Israel, even if he did not deny Jews’ right to have their own state.

Keeping his connections with J-Street a secret worked in his interest, because J-Street has repeatedly declared itself to be pro-Israel and pro-peace. On its website the organization denies that Soros is its main funder, stating that Soros did not found J-Street and that he has publicly stated his wish to avoid being involved as such involvement may work against the organization.